Allen Fire Department History

On February 18, 1953, the Allen Fire Department was organized and composed of "engine and hose company No. 1" whose motto read: 'When Duty Calls 'Tis Ours To Obey'." Although the Allen Fire Department was organized in 1953, The City Council didn't approve the original constitution and by-laws of the department until July 11, 1963. Council members signing this document were G.T. Jones and A.C. Story.

The Fire Department was originally organized as a volunteer group and required an initiation fee of two ($2) dollars to join. In 1975, Ron Gentry, became the first paid employee of the Allen Fire Department as the part-time Fire Chief. Chief Gentry continued working part-time for the Allen Fire department until 1985, when he was asked to maintain his roll as Fire Chief on a full-time basis. In 1982 the city hired 6 full-time paid fire fighters and built Station 2 on East Exchange Parkway. Meanwhile the volunteers still dedicated their time to the city. It wasn't until 2000 that the Allen Volunteer Fire Fighters disbanded.

The Allen Fire Department is now an all-paid department and employs 1 Fire Chief, 2 Assistant Chiefs, 2 Division Chiefs, 3 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Public Education Coordinator, 2 Fire Prevention Specialists, 15 Shift Captains, 12 Apparatus Operators, 51 Fire Fighters, 2 Administrative Assistants

Read more about the late Retired Fire Chief Ron Gentry